JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The rain and artificial rain pouring Sumatra and Kalimantan over the weekend has helped extinguishing forest fires already causing thick haze that blanketed the two islands in the past three months.

According to the Spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the rain has significantly reduced hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan until 70% from 2,218 to only 402 hotspots.

Sutopo also said that the rain has improved the air quality in the cities and regencies in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The BNPB and all related parties have showered around 284.9 tons of salt (NaCl) from aircraft since June 2015 to present in order to create artificial rain. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)